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Technology advances and becomes even more embedded in the Paralympic Games

London has been at the centre of the world for a while now, as during the 2012 Olympic Games. Once the Olympics finished, the Paralympic athletes stepped up to the limelight to compete for their countries. This year, technology is more advanced than before, showcasing the impressive feats of engineering and imagination that have helped the Paralympic athletes get ready to take part in the competition of a lifetime. The cutting-edge technology of this competition includes the wheelchairs that are used for the basketball competition. Britain’s Paralympic basketball team have wheelchairs that are based on the design of an F1 car. Their seats are made of foam and have been designed by BMW engineers.

One of the most apparent examples of technology being built into the Paralympic Games, is that which is used by ‘blade runners’. These athletes are equipped with carbon fibre running prostheses that enable them to run extremely fast. Seeing these athletes in action is very impressive, for those who follow sports closely and even others who tend to prefer different hobbies like playing cards or learning about poker on sites like poker.dk. This type of technology is now able to provide an elastic energy return of 92 per cent, while natural human strength can deliver a return of 95 per cent.

The technology advances that have been showcased at the Paralympic Games are not likely to stay confined to the Olympic Park. In a very positive statement, the International Paralympic Committee has told how its guidelines stipulated that the equipment manufacturers have to consider the cost of making the products available on a large scale, so that the technological advances are not just there to aid top athletes, but are accessible for the general public as well.

FYI: Kenya at The Paralympics So Far

PHOTO | LEON NEAL Kenya’s Abraham Tarbei celebrates after winning the men’s 1500m T46 during the Paralympic Games at the Olympic Park in east London, on September 4, 2012. Image from nation.co.ke

Kenya’s Paralympics team on fire as Korir takes silver in dramatic 1,500m

Mary Nakhumicha fails to make the final of the F57 discus throw, finishing 12th with 17.53 metres, but her best event, the javelin, is yet to come

Kenya now has two gold medals (Muchai, Tarbei), one silver (Korir) and a bronze (Henry Kirwa)

Samwel Mushai becomes the first man in his visually impaired classification to go under the four-minute barrier in a Paralympic competition